Hip dyplasia and yin yoga

Check here for questions about Yin Yoga and hips. (Note: discussions about sciatica are in the Spine forum.)
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Claudia
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu May 23, 2019 7:52 pm

Hip dyplasia and yin yoga

Post by Claudia »

Hi Bernie,
what's your opinion on hip dysplasia and yin yoga? Would it do any good? I have a student in my class, who has much pain in Happy Baby and so on...for some reason she has the believe the pain is good for something, probably bringing back mobility...

I try to teach Yoga for the people, so a wide mix that I feel is healthy for the body. I do think Yin Yoga is amazing, but when you have hip issues?! Thanks a lot for this forum!! Claudia

(Have been practising ashtanga yoga since 1995, so this is my background but over the years adjusted my practise to a more balanced mix) Yin and Yang
Last edited by Claudia on Tue May 28, 2019 4:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Claudia
Claudia
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu May 23, 2019 7:52 pm

Post by Claudia »

Some more thoughts:

I would believe that it is a good idea to not avoid certain movements until pain kicks in!?

And:

You could stabilize everything around the hip through muscle work but then you still don't target the rest (ligaments, fascia ect.) of it.
Claudia
Bernie
Posts: 1293
Joined: Sat Sep 23, 2006 2:25 am
Location: Vancouver

Yin and Hip Dysplasia

Post by Bernie »

Hi Claudia. Welcome to the Forum. Thanks for asking your question here.

Let's first define our terms: Hip Dysplasia (HD) in adults occurs when the hip socket (acetabulum) is too shallow for the ball (or head) of the femur. The joint is insecure due to this anatomical variation. The indications for HD are pain and/or a limp. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this because it is due to the shape of the bones.

As to your question: is Yin Yoga a good idea for your student? I have no idea! I am not her doctor. Really, her health care team should be the ones providing guidance. How bad is her HD? What is the condition of her cartilage lining the hip socket? Is she in chronic pain, or only while in certain postures? Will she be needing a hip replacement soon?

Generally, my adage is “no pain, no pain,. I don't buy into the idea that pain means you are opening up the body. To me, it means you are hurting the body and the body is asking you to stop! However! These thoughts apply to normal yoga practices. In physical therapy where the body is already damaged, and maybe scar or contracture is limiting mobility, the therapist will move the joint into painful positions, and this could be useful. To break scar tissue hurts! But, that is therapy. Yoga classes are not therapy (unless done one-on-one with a yoga therapist.)

In the case of HD, I would not advise moving into a place of pain. Listen to what the body is trying to tell you. The pain may be due to the cartilage being worn away. We don't want that. Yes, we do want some stress to the cartilage, but not so much that it hurts. We have be like Goldilocks and find the place that is just right.

I would recommend you read the article I wrote about Antifragility and especially note figure 4. This is your student. Yes, she does need some stress to her hips, but due to her condition, it is easy to go too far. She has to learn to “play her edge, and go to where there is sensation, but not pain. Your guidance can help. Watch her body language, her face, etc to make sure she isn't trying too hard. (Yin is soft, remember! Don't let her turn her yin practice into a yang effort.)

Okay? Let us know how it goes.
Cheers
Bernie
Claudia
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu May 23, 2019 7:52 pm

Post by Claudia »

Thank you for the answer!! It is not easy. You have to become your own therapist. Well, most students who have been coming to my yoga classes have been giving up on a medical advice. For the most part the doctors don't really know what to do.

All the best to you! I got your books ..they are so detailed...amazing...
Claudia
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